OT's Springbok Vampire ***Finished***

[Old_Tonto]

Sorry I am late for this one, just getting over a bout of Flu that has laid me low over Xmas.

I intend to build this Heller Vampire in 1/72 scale with decals from this set by eurodecals (Fantasy Printshop?). I picked them both up at Telford - the decals cost more than the kit but they are superb.



I am aiming to model this aircraft:



Aluminium all over with day-glo orange patches! Wish me luck.

[Martin R]

Welcome O-T,

Don't worry, we haven't really started yet. We've just been killing time till you got here.

regards,

Martin

[shaun8478]

hi OT
looks like we had similar idea's,look in sign up and chat page 4,great minds think alike eh. although my kit is boxed as sncase se.535 mistral.
the mistral is supposed to have a slightley bigger fuselage to accomodate the larger nene engine,amongst other things but i suspect were building the same kit with different names.
would be interesting to see the sprues side by side.
i too was planning to build an all alluminium machine,but i think i'll build the black Aeronavale 57s seeing as you're doing the ally bird.varity being the spice of life and all that.
have you started yet? i began putting a few parts together last night and with a little cleaning it all seems to go together quite well for such an old kit.
anyway good luck with your build.i'll be watching with interest.
all the best
shaun

[Old_Tonto]

Shaun, The kit of the Vampire looks almost identical and indeed some of the sprues are marked for Vampire & Mistral.
Here are a few shots to illustrate:





All I have done so far is fit the sparse cockpit floor & seat. I also joined the wing halves.



Next up, paint the IP & cockpit black then seal up the fuselage. I intend to do this one in flight so will need to find a suitable pilot figure. Not sure much of the office area will be visable once the canopy is on.

More to follow.

[shaun8478]

interesting OT
there are indeed subtle differences:-
the seats.where yours is a conventional seat with separate headrest mine has a full 1 piece ejector seat.
fuselage on mine has lots of small square panels depicted with fine raised plastic lines,yours on the instruction sheet looks void of theses.
the intakes are a totally different profile.
only very small differences,but differences they are.guess its good to know manufacturers acually make the changes instead of just changing the packaging etc.
all the best and good luck with your build.
shaun

[Dazzled]

Looks like an interesting colour scheme OT. I would wish you luck but I'm sure you wont need it.

[Old_Tonto]

Looks like an interesting colour scheme OT. I would wish you luck but I'm sure you wont need it.

I wish I shared your confidence!

[Molly-new]

I see that you are also going up the in flight route. Are you going to put some weight in the front? I am undecided and would like a more experienced opinion.
Cheers mate.

[Old_Tonto]

I see that you are also going up the in flight route. Are you going to put some weight in the front? I am undecided and would like a more experienced opinion.
Cheers mate.

No extra nose weight for me. Just a big rod stuck in the belly & glued. Keep it simple.

I got the pit painted & found a rather nice PJ Productions pilot (French 1970's) that should do very nicely for my trainy South African pilot. The engine outlet is painted, masked & attached.



Also tonight I managed to close up the U\C doors - still need a little filler though.



I managed to get some paint on the IP as well. Not brilliant but I don't think it will be visable once the pit is closed up. Just enough to fool the eye.



It's all going too well!

[Johann_Olivier]

Hi OT,

Greetings from South Africa.

Just one thing to look out for regarding the placement guide of the castle/springbok roundels as per the EuroDecals instructions;

on the fuselage the springboks should jump forward, toward the nose and on the wings they should jump inward, toward the fuselage. I think the the EuroDecal instructions got the direction of the springboks on the wings right though. I do not have the sheet, but had a peek at it here; http://tedtaylor.hobbyvista.com/124-eur ... pires.html;

Hope this helps.

Johann

[MerlinJones]

Yay!
It's always good to have input from a Man On The Ground!
Welcome to the forum, Johann.

Regards,
Bruce

[Old_Tonto]

Thanks for the advice Johann - you shall now have a pilot figure named after you.

Unfortunately I have had to remove his legs!

[Martin R]

Thanks for the advice Johann - you shall now have a pilot figure named after you.

Unfortunately I have had to remove his legs!

"Join UAMF and undergo multiple amputations!"

I'll continue refining my forum marketing slogan.

regards,

Martin

[Old_Tonto]

Pilot Johann is in place & the fuselage halves are together, and so the fit issues begin!



Whilst the fit on the top is good there is quite a gap on the underside & the gun pack seems a little undersize.



So out with the sanding stick this lunchtime.

Also need to finish painting Johann's helmet & make a seat harness for him.

Then on with the canopy - it is currently drying after receiving a coat of Klear.

[ShaunW]

I hope Johann got a dose of anast..aneast.. I hope you knocked him out before the leg job Tonto, that would have to smart a bit otherwise